Cutting Loose - Travel Blog

I have been on Langkawi for almost three months now and would say I know my way around. Even though the days have gone by in a breeze and the weeks have turned into months, looking back at it, I saw a lot.​I tried out most of the restaurants along Cenang Road, found my few favourites I keep going back to; dared to get back on a scooter and cruise around the island after such a big and traumatizing accident; and have made many friends, both local and fellow travellers. Basically, I unpacked my bags, spread out, and started creating a small home here to settle into for those three months.

Click to Read More (Button Below Image)

The view over Pantai Cenang and the surrounding islands

What that means?! I kind of feel like a semi local now - everyone knows me and says hi walking down the road, and I know where everything is and where to go if I need or want something (this is quite rare while you are travelling as many of you would agree. It takes some time to get used to a place and figure out where everything is and where to go for certain things). What that means for you?! If you are planning on coming to Langkawi, get in touch and let me know, I am more than happy to share my found knowledge about it and help you set up for a perfect holiday on the island.

For now, I will start with the best 7 spots you should definitely check out while you are here, and best of all - they are all completely FREE!

#1 Temurun Waterfall:​This is my absolute favourite!! Maybe because it was the first waterfall I saw on Langkawi or maybe because it just has that special and magical feel to it! Trickling down from the top over beautiful cut stones, surrounded by trees and greenery growing along the whole water stream upwards along the rocks - it is just beautiful! The eagles gliding over the top and the sun poking out over the falls, this is the perfect place to go for a cold dive into the water. Take some snacks and hang around for a while before heading over to Skull Beach, only 5 minutes down the road from the Temurun Waterfall.

#2 Skull Beach:A small enclosed beach not many people know about makes this the perfect place to rest up and tank some sun. The stunning view over the surrounding islands (some of which are already Thailand - yes you are that close to the border) and the peacefulness of the place make it my favourite beach of all of Langkawi! No joke, it is absolutely beautiful!!

#3 Seven Wells Waterfall:Now this is a great waterfall for a swim. Climbing up the many steps to the top of the wells, there are so many little and big ‘pools’ to go in for a swim! And many natural stone ‘chairs’ to sit in the water and rest. The view out to the ocean is spectacular and you can also see the cable car going up to one of the peaks to the right. No need to spend all that money though, #4 will demonstrate a completely free and adventurous way for the same view!Don’t forget to try the best vegetarian curry laksa on the island before you head off at the bottom of the wells. The little aunties shop (unfortunately without a name, but it is the first one at the bottom, right where the red and white gate is) will make you one of the best curry laksas with fresh veggies and tofu - yuuuum it is just super delicious and only 8 RM!

#4 Climb up Machinchang Peak:Now to the Machinchang Peak - what can I say?! Are you prepared for a very adventurous and tiring climb (yes climb!) up to the peak? Then this is for you! I had no warning and no idea what I was getting into, but the view from the top and the achievement you feel once you are there is well worth it. Make sure you have a big breakfast and do this on a full stomach, the hike is definitely no joke. And that coming from me, a very sporty and adventurous young person who loves going for hikes in nature! The first half is a nice walk through the jungle, the second half is pulling yourself up on a rope covered in huge killer ants that will bite, over fallen stones and without a proper path to walk on. It is literally pulling yourself up the rocks and to the top without trying to fall.... I kept thinking ‘just around the corner, just around the corner’ and I will be there, but it is a lot longer than you expect. The view from the top is spectacular though and will soon wash away all the tiredness and stress from the climb.

#5 Tanjung Rhu Beach:A beautiful beach to rest and have a swim at. It is surprisingly quiet with only a few people there, even though the Mangrove tours start from here. Nice turquoise blue water surrounded by rock formations close by. Apparently at low tide you can even walk over to them from what I have been told. A very nice beach to chill at and have a delicious coconut enjoying the sun and a beautiful day.

#6 Durian Waterfall:Not too far away from Tanjung Rhu, this waterfall is extremely nicely set up in the jungle. With a swaying bridge to cross and a beautiful walk along different flowers and trees, they built huts along the way to gather around for food and drinks. The fall at the top is okay (I prefer the fall at Temurun), and swimming might be a bit more difficult, but it is still a very nice place to check out. Especially the way the bottom part is set up, you will not be disappointed.

#7 Gunung Raya Peak:There are two ways to get to the top, either drive all the way up with the scooter, or take the over 4000 steps to the top! If you decide on the easier and more comfortable option of going by bike, go for the sunset! It is absolutely spectacular from the peak!! An amazing view over the island and facing the west makes it perfect for the sunset! The drive up is beautiful as well, you will come across so many monkeys and different animals while driving along the jungle with glimpses to the views down below. One of my favourite drives!

Obviously there is a lot more to do on a big island like Langkawi (another personal favourite being the island hopping tour for only 30 RM, which is especially budget friendly - feel free to get in touch with me on that to book the tour or to get more info on it; or just chilling at the beach in Pantai Cenang and eating through some of my favourite restaurants, more on this here), but these are definitely my favourite FREE things to do. Rent a scooter for three days and enjoy these 7 best spots in Langkawi on a budget!If you have any more questions, please get in touch or if you would like any more information on Langkawi or anything related to it. Spread the word and help me grow by sharing, liking, or commenting on the article and sharing it with some of your friends and family!

The stunning #1 Temurun Waterfall - my absolute favourite!

The peaceful and quiet #2 Skull Beach

#3 The Seven Wells Waterfall

The different ‘pools’ at #3 Seven Wells

What a spectacular view over Langkawi from #4 Machinchang Peak

#4 Machinchang Peak, how beautiful is that?!

#5 Tanjung Rhu Beach

Enjoying a coconut at #5 Tanjunbg Rhu Beach, looking out to the islands you can sometimes even walk to

#6 Durian Waterfall hidden in the jungle

The walk along #6 Durian Waterfall with all the huts and flowers along the way

Thanks Lauren!! Yess, I tried to include as many hidden gems as I could that most people don’t know about! Spending three months there was amazing and a totally different insight into the island and the culture - I loved it!

I'm close to Langkawi but I've never been! I've always wanted to visit and those places you've mentioned sound great! This is very helpful :)

Reply

Jacqueline

12/3/2018 02:39:24 pm

Thanks Angie! You should go! Especially if you are close to Langkawi! Do get in touch with me if you have any questions or want more information on things to do there! Enjoy Langkawi if you choose to go!

Beautiful places you got right there! I've always wanted to travel to a place and stay there for at least a month! Must feel good to be a semi-local, yeah?

Reply

Jacqueline

12/3/2018 02:50:41 pm

Stella, it is nice to stay in a place for that long. Especially if you are used to packing up and leaving every few days like I usually do. Staying for a month or over gives you a whole new insight into the place and culture, love being a semi local :)